OPF DG fired for taking up inquiry before SC

An official from the Overseas Pakistanis Foundation (OPF), who was supposed to file an inquiry report in the Supreme Court (SC) in connection with the vast irregularities and financial miss-appropriations in OPF, has been reportedly removed from his position on directions of interim Federal Minister for Overseas Pakistanis Feroz Jamal Kakakhel, prior to submission of the inquiry report, Pakistan today has learnt reliably.
Syed Khalid Ali Raza Gardaizi, who was earlier in the Establishment Division, was on deputation in OFP serving as Human Resource and Administration DG since March 2012.
Following a high-level inquiry in March 2000, a detailed report comprising 57 pages was compiled regarding massive irregularities, corruption and financial miss-appropriations in OPF; however, the report was later dumped and efforts were made to hide the issue.
Later, in light of the apex court’s directives, Gardaizi took up the issue and searched for the report of the said inquiry so it could be presented before the court.
While he was involved in efforts to recover the file and present it in court by May 27, he was removed from his position, allegedly because some powerful blue eyed officials close to the caretaker minister were not in favour of giving life to the dead issue.
Gardaizi was henceforth removed from his position on directions of the OPF minister.
Deciding not to bow down before corruption and injustice, Gardaizi has filed a plea in SC against the decision of his forced removal.
The inquiry committee that probed the massive irregularities in OPF focused on service/personnel matters and development projects.
The report had said the OPF management over the years did not adhere to the prescribed procedures under the OPF service rules in initial recruitment, promotion, absorption and various other matters. The committee mentioned in the report that it had discovered several cases that reflected political influence, favouritism/ nepotism or outright negligence on part of the administration.
It also said a large number of inadequately qualified officers had been recruited, resulting in an overall poor performance of the organisation.
The committee also recommended termination of officers who were recruited without merit including M A Sherazi (Director), Khawar Noor (Joint Director), Abrar Ahmed Awan (Joint Director), Mohammad Azam (Superintendent), Tahir Ali Mirza (Welfare Officer), Salahiddin M Hasani (GM), A A Asad Khan (GM), Salim Iqbal (Joint Director), Malik Javed Akhtar (Joint Director), Mustafa Haider (Assistant Director), Ashfaq Ahmed Sheikh (Welfare Officer), Mashkoor Haider (Superintendent), Chaudhry Jamshed Akhtar (Assistant Director), Zafar Khan (Deputy Director), Waqar Aziz (Assistant Director) and Saifur Rehman Khan (GM).
In addition, the inquiry committee also recommended reversion of promotions of 23 employees who were promoted in violation of rules, and called for action against those who were behind the illegal promotions.